The importance of science education was recognized in workshops for elementary school teachers of the Carbon School District Jan. 19-20 on USU-CEU campus.

Organized by Jon Krum, Ph.D., the workshop was intended to increase understanding of science at elementary level, help instructors feel more comfortable with the subject and to create a partnership for science education. The core curriculum was a primary discussion.

The idea of the seminar didn’t take much thought. It came about through collaborative efforts between the college and the school district, Krum said. He expected elementary teachers to leave with a science-education base to take to their classrooms.

Krum voiced appreciation for the efforts of the school district. Joan Atwood, elementary school supervisor, who played a particularly important role in the process. Her approval was necessary for the workshops to take place. She provided substitute teachers for all elementary schools in the district while regular instructors attended the 90-minute seminars. Nearly 100 teachers from kindergarten through grade six were invited to campus.

“I hope that it helped them know that we care about science education and we are willing to create a partnership,” stated Krum. Advice he’d like to offer to science teachers is to not be afraid to use the scientific method.